Golf Training Aid for Maintaining Proper Wrist Angle

ABSTRACT

An architecture is presented that provides a golf training aid for maintaining the proper wrist angle during golf swings. The golf training aid has a simple structure, a low manufacturing cost, and is convenient to use. The golf training aid comprises a flexible plate secured to a user. The golf training aid can also comprise Velcro-like fasteners secured to a top and a bottom portion of the flexible plate to help secure the golf training aid to a user. When inserted between the Velcro fasteners of a golf glove and wore on a golfer&#39;s lead hand, the golf training aid resists the improper bending of a golfer&#39;s wrist and provides audible feedback when an excessive amount of bending occurs.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/312,708 filed Mar. 11, 2010.

BACKGROUND

In many sports such as golf, correct position of the lead wrist (left wrist for a right handed golfer or right wrist for a left handed golfer) is important for accuracy, distance, and consistency. For many golfers, cupping of the lead wrist, wherein the back of the hand bends toward the forearm, at the top of the back swing results in a slice, hook, or inconsistent contact between the head of the golf club and the golf ball. Furthermore, flipping of the hands, which is manifested in a cupped lead wrist, at impact causes fat, thin, bladed shots, and missed putts.

Many devices have attempted to address proper wrist position and angles, however most of the devices are more complicated, heavier, hinder proper wrist position and/or are a higher cost to manufacture. Accordingly, golfers and others concerned about wrist position and angles need a device that is comprised of a simple structure, has a low manufacturing cost, is convenient to use, and allows the golfer to maintain the proper wrist angles during golf swings.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some novel embodiments described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a golf training aid for maintaining the proper lead wrist angles during a golf swing. In one embodiment, the golf training aid comprises a flexible plate secured to a user. The golf training aid can also comprise at least one fastener secured to the flexible plate. Preferably, at least one Velcro-like fastener is secured to a top and a bottom portion of the flexible plate. The flexible plate is then secured to a golf glove. The flexible plate is secured to a golf glove by interlocking the at least one fastener in between the Velcro fasteners of the glove.

The golf training aid helps the golfer resist the improper bending of the lead wrist, and increases resistance gradually as the improper bending increases. When a large amount of improper bending is applied to the golf training aid, the golf training aid will yield (i.e., flex or bend) so as not to injure the user and provide audible feedback. The resistance provided and the amount of yielding are adjustable by the user. Further, the golf training aid does not resist proper wrist movements such as cocking, un-cocking, and bowing. Nor does the golf training aid prevent the user from assuming the proper address and finish wrist positions. The golf training aid can be used in all areas of the golf game, namely, ordinary swinging, pitching, chipping, and putting; and allows a user to use his/her preferred glove.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the golf training aid in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the golf training aid in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front end view of the golf training aid in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view showing the golf training aid worn on a user's open lead hand in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the golf training aid worn on a user's closed lead hand in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view showing the golf training aid yielding when a user's lead wrist cups excessively in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the golf training aid remaining attached to the user's golf glove after the golf glove is removed from the user's hand in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a golfer at putting position wearing a golf glove with the golf training aid attached in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Correct position of the lead wrist is important in many sports for accuracy, distance, and consistency. The disclosed device provides a golf training aid for maintaining the proper wrist angles during golf swings. The golf training aid comprises a flexible plate secured to a user. The golf training aid can also comprise at least one Velcro-like fastener secured to the flexible plate. When the flexible plate is inserted between the Velcro fasteners of a golf glove and worn on a golfer's lead hand, the golf training aid resists the improper bending of the wrist and provides audible feedback when an excessive amount of bending occurs. The golf training aid has a simple structure, is lightweight, has a compact size, a low manufacturing cost, and is convenient to use.

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a golf training aid 10. The golf training aid 10 comprises a flexible plate 12. The flexible plate 12 is typically plastic but can be manufactured from a variety of different materials, such as but not limited to, metals, fiberglass, or carbon fiber without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. The flexible plate 12 also has an elastic quality to it. The elasticity of the flexible plate 12 allows a user to address a golf ball with some cupping of the lead wrist. However, excessive cupping of the lead wrist causes the flexible plate 12 to yield and provide audible feedback to the user in the form of a click. Typically, the flexible plate 12 yields in a range from about five degrees to about sixty degrees depending on how the golf training aid 10 is installed, and how tight it is fastened to a user.

The shape of the flexible plate 12 can also be varied, when looking at the flexible plate 12 from a top or bottom view, the flexible plate 12 can be curved and shaped as a rectangle, oval, or pentagon or any other suitable shape as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Typically, the flexible plate 12 has a length in the range of about three inches to about the length of a user's forearm. The width of the flexible plate 12 is in a range of about less than one inch to about slightly wider than a user's forearm; having the flexible plate 12 too wide will impede a user's golf swing. The thickness of the flexible plate 12 depends on the material used. The flexible plate 12 can be as thin as about 1/256^(th) of an inch but can not be too thick (i.e., over an inch) to impede a user's swing. All of the above dimensions depend on the material used.

Furthermore, the golf training aid 10 can be secured to a user via a suitable wrist band, such as being tucked underneath a band of a wrist watch, a sweat band worn on a user's wrist, or any other suitable wrist band as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. The golf training aid 10 could also comprise an integrated wrist band (not shown). Additionally, the golf training aid 10 can be secured to a user via at least one fastener 14 which secures the golf training aid 10 to a golf glove (not shown). Typically, the at least one fastener 14 is a Velcro fastener, however other suitable fasteners can be used as well, as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. The object of the golf training aid 10 is to achieve proper resistance and yield point such that the golf training aid 10 yields before the at least one fastener 14 detaches from the golf glove.

FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the golf training aid 10, wherein a fastener 14 is secured to the top of the flexible plate 12, and a second fastener 16 is secured to the bottom of the flexible plate 12. However, any number of fasteners can be used depending on the wants and needs of a user without affecting the overall concept of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front end of the golf training aid 10, wherein fasteners 14 and 16 are secured to flexible plate 12. The flexible plate 12 is shaped to conform to the back of a user's hand (not shown), and the elasticity of the flexible plate 12 allows a user to address a golf ball with some cupping of the lead wrist. However, excessive cupping of the lead wrist causes the flexible plate 12 to yield and provide audible feedback to the user.

FIG. 4 illustrates the golf training aid 10 worn in conjunction with a golf glove 20 on the hand of a golfer's lead arm 30. Fasteners (not shown) on the flexible plate of the golf training aid 10 interlock with the fasteners on the golf glove 20 to removably secure the training aid 10 in place. Typically, the fasteners of the golf glove 20 are Velcro fasteners, however other suitable fasteners can be used as well, as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Alternatively, the bottom and/or top portion of the golf training aid 10 can be permanently attached to the golf glove 20. The golf training aid 10 can be permanently attached to the golf glove 20 by gluing (i.e., epoxy) or sewing or any other suitable method as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the golf training aid 10 can be worn between a golfer's hand and the golf glove 20 without utilizing fasteners at all. The golf training aid 10 would be positioned between the golf glove 20 and a back of the user's hand. Once secured on a user's hand, the golf glove 20 would retain the golf training aid 10 in place without the need for fasteners.

FIG. 5 illustrates the golf training aid 10 worn in conjunction with a golf glove 20 on the hand of a golfer's lead arm 30. The fasteners of the golf training aid 10 interlock with the fasteners on the golf glove to secure the golf training aid 10 in place. During a golf swing, the flexible plate 12 provides resistance to cupping of the lead wrist while allowing total freedom for cocking (where the thumb moves toward the forearm while the wrist itself remains flat) and un-cocking, and bowing of the wrist (for de-lofting the club at impact, which is desirable). Due to the elasticity of the flexible plate 12, the more cupping of the wrist, the more resistance the golf training aid 10 will generate against the cupping motion. Such resistance encourages the golfer to maintain a desirable flat lead wrist especially at the top of the back swing and at impact of the golf club head with the golf ball. However, the elasticity of the flexible plate 12 of the golf training aid 10 and the elastic band 22 around the opening of the golf glove combine to offer some ductility, such that the user can address the golf ball comfortably with some cupping of the lead wrist. Note that most professional golfers address the golf ball with some cupping in their lead wrist.

Additionally, since the golf training aid 10 is preferably not permanently embedded in a golf glove, a golfer can choose whatever glove he or she prefers. And when the golf glove is worn out, the golf training aid 10 is removed and only the golf glove itself needs to be replaced.

FIG. 6 illustrates the golf training aid 10 yielding when a user's wrist of the lead arm 30 cups excessively. Specifically, when excessive cupping force is applied to the golf training aid 10, the middle section 18 of the flexible plate loses its curvature as seen in FIG. 3 and yields partially. The middle section 18 should not remain rigid and risk hurting the user, but should yield when excessive force is applied. Once the middle section 18 yields, the user will hear an audible sound and experience a sudden drop in resistance. The audible sound is typically a click, a pop, a snap or any other suitable sound as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the present invention. The yielding not only presents audible feedback to the user but also serves as a safety mechanism to prevent injury. This is important since most golfers finish their full swing with a lot of cupping in their lead wrist (which is the correct way to finish a full swing). In contrast, a golfer practicing proper chipping should not break the lead wrist at finish and will not trigger the safety mechanism. The resistance provided and the point at which the golf training aid 10 gives or yields can be adjusted by the user.

FIG. 7 illustrates the golf training aid 10 remaining attached to the user's golf glove 20 after the golf glove 20 is removed from the user's hand. The fastener 14 positioned on the top portion of the golf training aid 10 has been separated from the fastener 26 positioned on the top portion of the golf glove 20, while the fastener positioned on the bottom portion (obscured by the flexible plate) is still engaged with the fastener positioned on the bottom of the golf glove 20. In use, a golfer can install the golf training aid 10 on a golf glove 20 and leave it in place. Once installed, the golf training aid 10 remains in place and there is no need to reinstall and readjust the golf training aid 10 every time the golfer takes off the golf glove 20. For example, a golfer may remove his or her golf glove 20 while putting. Furthermore, the convenience and the compact and lightweight nature of the golf training aid 10 make it possible, and sometimes preferable, to play an entire round of golf with it.

FIG. 8 illustrates a golfer at putting position wearing a golf glove 20 with the golf training aid 10 attached to the lead arm 30. During a golf swing, the golf training aid 10 provides resistance to cupping of the wrist while allowing total freedom for cocking (where the thumb moves toward the forearm while the wrist itself remains flat) and un-cocking, and bowing of the wrist (for de-lofting the club at impact which is desirable). Due to the elasticity of the flexible plate of the golf training aid 10, the more cupping of the wrist, the more resistance the golf training aid 10 will generate. Furthermore, the elasticity of the golf training aid 10 and the elastic band around the opening of the golf glove 20 combine to offer some ductility, such that the user can address the ball comfortably with some cupping of the lead wrist. As noted above, most professional golfers address the ball with some cupping in their lead wrist, as do most good golfers. For example, most golfers hold their putters with some cupping in the lead wrist, and in fact, the amount of cupping tends to remain constant throughout the putting swing.

Furthermore, the resistance and the amount of yield is adjustable by the user. For example, to increase the resistance, a user needs to tighten the golf training aid 10 securely to their lead forearm 32 and wrist via tightening the wrist band, wrist watch band, or the fastener 26 of the golf glove 20. The more curved the golf training aid 10 is, the more resistance is produced and the more difficult the golf training aid 10 will be to yield. Since human arms are naturally curved, wearing the golf training aid 10 tightly against a user's lead forearm 32 gives the golf training aid 10 more curvature. However, to lessen the resistance, a user could loosen the fastener 26 of the golf glove 20 such that the golf training aid 10 only generates light pressure at the point where the golf training aid 10 contacts the lead forearm 32. For example, by maintaining constant pressure throughout the putt, a golfer will prevent flipping of the wrist or any wrist angle change and become much more accurate and consistent. Additionally, a user can adjust the resistance of the golf training aid 10 by sliding the golf training aid 10 more toward a user's fingers before securing in place, wherein the perceived resistance increases due to the principle of leverage. Conversely, securing the golf training aid 10 farther away from a user's fingers before securing in place, reduces the perceived resistance. Additionally, multiple golf training aids 10 can be stacked on top of each other and used at the same time, resulting in increased resistance.

As stated supra, there are many other possible implementations of the golf training aid 10. For example, different materials such as metals, fiber glass, or carbon fiber can be used for the flexible plate. Additionally, the flexible plate can be made of a composite of various, suitable materials, and/or multiple suitable materials sandwiched together in various layers. Further, the curved shape of the flexible plate can be varied, (e.g. rectangle, oval, or pentagon). The bottom and/or top portion of the golf training aid 10 can be detachably or permanently attached to a golf glove 20. Or, the golf training aid 10 can be worn between a golfer's hand and a golf glove 20 without the need for fasteners. Or, the golf training aid 10 can be secured to a user via a suitable wrist band, such as being tucked underneath a band of a wrist watch, a sweat band worn on a user's wrist, or any other suitable wrist band.

What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed device. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel device is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

1. A golf training aid, comprising: a flexible plate secured to a user for maintaining proper wrist angles.
 2. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the flexible plate comprises a top portion and a bottom portion and at least one fastener secured to each of said top and bottom portions of said flexible plate.
 3. The golf training aid of claim 2, wherein the at least one fastener is Velcro.
 4. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener removably secures the flexible plate to a golf glove via attaching to a fastener of the golf glove.
 5. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the flexible plate is permanently attached to a golf glove.
 6. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the flexible plate is worn between a golfer's hand and a golf glove without fasteners.
 7. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the flexible plate is shaped as a rectangle, oval or pentagon.
 8. The golf training aid of claim 1, wherein the flexible plate has an elastic quality.
 9. The golf training aid of claim 8, wherein the elasticity of the flexible plate and an elastic band around an opening of the golf glove combine to allow a user to address a golf ball with some cupping of a lead wrist.
 10. The golf training aid of claim 9, wherein excessive cupping of the lead wrist causes the flexible plate to yield, lowering resistance and providing audible feedback to a user.
 11. The golf training aid of claim 10, wherein the flexible plate provides resistance to cupping of a user's wrist while allowing total freedom for cocking, un-cocking and bowing of the wrist.
 12. The golf training aid of claim 11, wherein the flexible plate is positioned more toward a user's fingers and secured, which increases resistance to the user.
 13. The golf training aid of claim 11, wherein the flexible plate is positioned away from a user's fingers and secured, which decreases resistance to the user.
 14. The golf training aid of claim 11, wherein the flexible plate is tightly secured to a user's wrist and forearm, which increases resistance to the user.
 15. A golf training system, comprising: a flexible plate and at least one fastener secured to the flexible plate; and a golf glove, wherein the at least one fastener secures the flexible plate to the golf glove.
 16. The golf training system of claim 15, wherein excessive cupping of a user's lead wrist causes the flexible plate to yield, lowering resistance and providing audible feedback to a user.
 17. The golf training system of claim 15, wherein the at least one fastener secures the flexible plate to the golf glove via attaching to a Velcro fastener of the golf glove.
 18. A golf training aid, comprising: a flexible plate with a fastener positioned on each of a top and a bottom portion of the flexible plate; and wherein the fasteners secure the flexible plate to a golf glove.
 19. The golf training aid of claim 18, wherein the flexible plate is tightly secured to a user's wrist and forearm, which increases resistance to the user.
 20. The golf training aid of claim 18, wherein the flexible plate is loosely secured to a user's wrist and forearm, which decreases resistance to the user. 